20 more auto LPG dispensing stations in South India

Coimbatore: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) would add another 20 auto LPG dispensing stations in South India during this fiscal, to the existing 40 stations, a senior company official said today.

Of these, 12 would be in Tamil Nadu, with a minimum investment of Rs75 lakh per each station, N. S. Ramu, General Manager (Retail), Southern Region, BPCL, told reporters here.

Ramu, here to commission the first auto LPG station in the city, said that the company planned to open one in Tirupur and another three by the turn of this financial year in Coimbatore district.

On the performance, he said the retail selling price of auto LPG was Rs27.40 per litre as against Rs47.38 per litre in Coimbatore. Gas would deliver similar mileage, proving to be economical, safe and with better combustion properties.

Without giving details, Ramu claimed that an auto LPG station at Bangalore was registering the highest sales in the world.

The company, he said, was constructing a 250 ton capacity LPG tank at Peelamedu in the city, at an estimated cost of Rs10 crore, which is expected to be ready in one year, he said.

On the shortage and delay in supplying domestic refills, R Somasundaram, Territory manager (retail), said illegal diversion to vehicles was the main reason behind it. Efforts were being made to supply the cylinders within 24 to 48 hours, Somasundaram said.